Toddlerhood Lessons

Surinne is now 2 and 1/2.  She is ever the busy little girl, and definitely keeps us on our exhausted toes!
Being a toddler has is it's advantages for this momma!  As you know I am fully capable of managing a toddler in a much more civilized manner (most of the time) than I am a baby.  So I am still very glad that she is now bigger and, should I say "wiser?"

1) Potty training: This has been a struggle for most of us involved.  Surinne is still scared of most potty's and sometimes even the one at home...but is out of diapers during the day (thank goodness!) and working on being sure she goes right away when she feels the need.  She has resorted to telling anyone in the house "good job!" after they use the potty.  So if you happen to be the unsuspecting subject of her pleasure you will at least get a good laugh!

2) Clothing and Cleaning:  Love having Surinne pick her own clothes!  Being an OT has it's benefits in that supporting the child building their own independence comes pretty naturally for me.  Empowerment comes with choice..."Surinne, do you want this red shirt or this blue shirt?" is an easy example.  This also applies for me in the daily struggle to clean and keep my floor somewhat visible beneath the mountainous pile of toys.  "Surinne, you have to clean up one of these.  Do you want to keep your blocks out, or your puzzle?"  She chose, then we cleaned up the one she didn't want readily while we sang.  I figure at least it's a start!

3) Helping: Surinne loves to help!  (Thank God!)  She understands that when I say we are going to make pancakes/cookies/even wash dishes she will need her stool.  She loves to measure and dump ingredients (everywhere but the bowl), scrub cups (spill water all over the counter), and even "mix, mix" the batter/dough (splashing everywhere)!
Mostly though, I think she just likes to lick the beater...

4) The look: I feel like this really is an advantage...You know what I mean.  THE.  LOOK.  The yeah-right-you-are-crazy-mom look!?!  Of course this elusive face is yet to be captured by my camera, but trust me, I know it well.  Why is this an advantage?  Well it makes me check myself!  Am I trying to get by with a little white lie, as in "No games on the iPad cause momma lost it?"  Or am I trying to trick (oh wait, I mean bribe) Surinne into obeying my commands, "Surinne if you do this, you can have this?"  Either way I need to be sure that I am accountable for what I say.  This means that no means no.  Right away, there is no waiting, no testing.  Just say no, correct/take away the item/dangerous thing being put in mouth, and move on.
This does remind me of the convo I had with the husband a long time ago.  I may have been still pregnant or Surinne may have been just days old.  But it basically went like this.  "I can take care of a baby, no problem!  It's just like training a dog, and I've done that twice!"  Lessons learned in dog training gave me methods on redirection, quick corrections, and what Cesar Milan refers to as "calm, submissive."  Well in my world the things that worked with my dogs were use of a spray bottle, and a loud secondary noise (usually an old soda can filled with coins/pebbles).  As you may suspect we really didn't spray the baby in the face with water (which she actually likes, go figure), and we didn't shake a loud can by her ear.
But being accountable and following through with what I say has been difficult.  We are learning slowly as Surinne has finally remembered the "no hitting" rule yesterday by verbally recalling why she spent time alone in her room.  It's progress.

She really is just a goofs!  What lessons have you learned from your toddler/baby?  I'd love to hear about them.  

Being Toddler

Not much has been going on.  I guess except if you count survival on the list of accomplishments...
I have been wondering what to write due to lack of inspiration.  In my attempt to humor you,  I will fill your mind with this thought, as it is the only one on mine!

Life.  Would.  Be.  So.  Much.  Better.  If.  We.  Could.  All.  Be.  Toddlers.

I have decided that this approach to grownupville would make it all the more tolerable, and easier to get through on a day to day basis.

Observe your toddler and this may be something I hope you realize too.

1)  Want something?  Say it very loudly in a sing songy voice like this: "I want Miiiiilllllkkkk!"  End of discussion.

2)  Get mad?  No worries.  Just push it out, throw it down (or at your neighbor's head), and roar like a tiger.  An alternative would be to be to just tantrum it!  Get on the floor, kick, scream, flail, whatever it takes to feel better, for however long you need.  Stop every few seconds to check to see who is watching, then begin again.  This will add drama.

3) Don't like your co-worker?  It's OK.  Tell them straight to their face in order to get it off your chest.  "I don't WANNA work with you!  Go away!"  Then stick your tongue out at them and stomp away in the other direction.  This will definitely get the point across, then tomorrow you can act like nothing happened.

4)  Don't like your home lunch?  Scream at it, throw it on the ground (or again, at your neighbor), and flail your hands in the air as you start crying.  This will surely get some attention and possibly even a trade for some chocolate chip cookies from a friend just cause they pity you and your momma's poor nutritional choices.  Another option is to just eat someone else's.  Come on!  You know you wanna reach across the table and grab that greasy grimey cheesy pizza concoction that is right over there....

5) Hate cleaning up after yourself?  That's OK.  There is nothing wrong with keeping things out all over the floor.  It's more fun to kick them out of your way as you walk anyway.  Also, how else are you supposed to find your favorite item quickly?

6)  Everything going wrong?  When in doubt of your day, your skills, and your attitude, just hug momma.  Everything will be better in a few short seconds of hugs.

Anything else to add?  This list can go on and on and on....

Shupeas: Pure Awesome!

Here at Momma Love Baby Maternity we are promising to bring you great maternity fashions.  Another promise is to bring you a few baby items that are eco-friendly, new, innovative, and creative.  Welcome Shupeas to our inventory!  They are new, innovative, functional, and best yet for mommas with babies, long-lasting!  Here in Hawaii baby shoes may be something of an anomaly, but as an occupational therapist I am well aware of the benefits of soft sole shoes for babies to promote proper foot development.  I for one do not enjoy the frequent buying of baby goods.  They grow so fast, and as any parent knows, you are lucky if you get every outfit in a size on the baby before they outgrow it.  Baby shoes are no different.

So why not love Shupeas?  The company motto is "Growing Shoes for Growing Feet."  What does this mean exactly?  Well believe it or not it means that these baby shoes are made to grow with your baby!  They generally fit from 3-20 months and come in a bunch of fun colors and styles for boys, girls, and unisex options as well as a mocassin with insole or soft sole style.  They are made of 100% soft leather and have a slip resistant, flexible suede sole.  Here is a photo comparison of the red beachball shoe on the smallest setting (to the left) and the largest (on the right)

 



I don't know a single momma friend of mine that doesn't love this idea!  My only regret is not having them earlier in my baby's life.  She is currently 17 months and a usual toddler shoe size 4 or 5.  The best part about these shoes? Aside from the fact that they fit her, they are easy to put on her chubby feet!  Yay!  I am a happy momma...check out the Shupeas website for more information.  To view our current inventory, please visit our facebook page or website and send a message if interested in purchasing.  Thank you Shupeas for making a great product!